To throw glitter on “the biggest television survey in France”, Mask Singer strives each year to find the perfect mix of ingredients to surprise viewers. For three seasons, the production of the show broadcast on TF1 occasionally welcomes international celebrities, well hidden under masks, as the concept wants. And this season 4 is no exception to tradition, for the pleasure of jurors and viewers alike.
The actresses Itziar Ituño (La Casa de Papel) and Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives), the singer Seal and the actor David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) blended into the skin of a ballerina, a ladybug, a cowboy and a cobra. The cat will join the very closed club of planetary stars who appeared in the French show since its performance and its identity will be revealed this evening.
Always unexpected, the presence of these personalities questions as much as it surprises. How does the production recruit them, how is the design of their costume and their rehearsals organized? 20 Minutes explains.
Intergenerational
The selection process for international stars takes place in parallel with the casting for French-speaking personalities. The show’s teams first try to determine which personalities they would see well in the guise of a wacky animal.
The criterion used in the choice of teams and above all to find celebrities known to the greatest number. “We try to find icons that speak to the greatest world because Mask Singer is a family program, the personalities must be recognized as much by the children as by their parents, ”explains Anthony Meunier, the producer of the show.
The main objective of the first selection is to target iconic personalities who have marked several generations. “We really try to create the most general “wow” effect possible during the unmasking. »
Few refusals
It is then a correspondent of the show based in Los Angeles and in contact with many agents of stars who takes over. “When we send the list of stars we want, it’s quite targeted, we generally know who we want in a precise way”, explains Anthony Meunier conceding that there have already been some refusals, mainly when the agenda of the star does not match that of the show’s recording.
Canvassing revolves around a central question: are celebrities motivated to put on a show hidden under a mask? “They have to want to put on a show and please viewers. »
The producer ensures that the majority of international stars contacted to participate in the French edition of Mask Singer are already familiar with the program, which exists in more than 56 countries.
Two to three months of preparation
Once the celebrity has reached a long process of work begins with the teams of the show broadcast on TF1. The production and the international star collaborate for about two to three months before shooting.
“We organize several videoconferences to have the measurements of the star for the making of the costume but also to launch the choice and the work around the song”, explains the producer. The contacts then multiply until the recording to adjust the service as well as possible. Concerning the costume, a lining with the same measurements as the personality is selected in France in order to ensure that the star can enter his costume of light and remain anonymous in front of the cameras.
The selected celebrities then fly off to spend two to three days in Paris for on-set rehearsals and recording of the show. Only Teri Hatcher wanted to stay a week in France to concoct a performance with small onions. As for the French personalities hidden under the masks, everything is organized in order to preserve the mystery of the identity of the participants.
amazing personalities
The arrival of these celebrities in the particular context offered by Mask Singer is often conducive to unusual moments, proving the commitment of the stars to the program.
“Teri Hatcher was an incredible hard worker. When she was already in Paris and rehearsing in her hotel with the show’s choreographer, she called me one day at 11:30 p.m. at the end of a shoot to ask me if she could come and rehearse on the set when it was not planned”, rewinds Anthony Meunier. Hidden under a black sweatshirt and an opaque visor, the actress known for her role in Desperate Housewives will offer an hour of bonus rehearsal so that the ladybug comes to life in the most masterful way.
More recently it was the comedian revealed in Alert in Malibu, David Hasselhof, who proved the unpredictability of the international stars who tread the stage of Mask Singer. While he was to interpret another title, the producer hears him humming My Way of Frank Sinatra in the car that takes him to the studio. The actor’s voice fits well with the title and Anthony Meunier lets him know. David Hasselhof then decides to change tracks and opts for this classic which is also his wife’s favorite song. “We had to create a new scenography in just two days,” recalls the producer.
Proof that each international star is a new adventure for their teams. The production insists in any case to say that “it is always a pleasure for these personalities to come and participate in entertainment in France because they love our country! »